Windshield wiper arm and blade assembly



Nov. 28, 1961 F. A. KROHM 3,010,137

WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM AND BLDE ASSEMBLY Original Filed May 7, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet l D INVENTOR.

FRED A. KRoHM ATTO Nov. 28, 1961 F. A. KROHM 3,03%137 WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM AND BLADE ASSEMBLY Original Filed May 7, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

FRED A. KEOHM BY ATTORN VUnited States Patent O 3,010,137 WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM AND BLADE ASSEMBLY Fred A. Krohm, Hobart, Ind., assignor to The Anderson Company, a corporation of Indiana Continuation of application Ser. No. 428,245, May 7, 1945. This application Aug. 21, 1959, Ser. No. 835,370 22 Claims. (Cl. 15-250.21)

This invention relates generally to windshield wiper devices and more particularly is directed to a wiper arm and/or combination of an arm assembly with a wiper blade and a movement-modifying arm to provide an improved system of wiping a curved surface.

The windshields of automotive vehicles are being made longer and with curved rearwardly extending extremities or wings to promote lvision and styling. In the trade, windshields of this character are referred to as the wraparound type.

The design of windshield structures now provided on some vehicles has advanced to an extent where conventional wipers are incapable of satisfactorily cleaning certain areas of a windshield, particularly at or adjacent the curved wings. Some areas due to the narrow width and extreme curvature of the glass are not wiped at all by a conventional wiper. In fact a conventional wiper blade operating through a true arc in approaching a wing will leave the windshield so that a portion of the blade will extend into space and/or beyond the edges of the Windshield in which event only a small part of the wing is cleaned. This condition results in poor visibility and therefore is detrimental to safe driving.

With the foregoing in mind, one of the principal objects of the invention is to provide wiper apparatus comprising a wiper blade-carrying arm with means for reciproca-ting and pivoting the blade with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm so that the blade will be caused to readily conform to a particularportion of the windshield to be wiped.

More specifically, the arrangement is such that the blade during a complete stroke in one direction from a parked position will progressively move toward the drive shaft supporting the wiper arm and as the blade approachesV the wing portion of the windshield it will be pivoted so as to reach and wipe a prescribed area which could not be wiped by a blade restricted for movement in a true arc by conventional apparatus. In other words, the'invention offers a lmeans whereby the blade will beheld erect in conforming relationship to the surface to be cleaned and during its oscillation across the windshield will be caused to pivot only at a predetermined location as the blade also moves toward and away from the drive shaft supporting the wiper arm. j w j.

. More particularly an object of the invention is to `p`rovide anovel apparatus comprising, among other things',` a primary arm having aninner section for attachment to a, drive shaft, an intermediate Section pivotally connected to the inner section, guide means on the intermediate section, `cam means on .the guide means, an outerV extensible arm YVsection slidable and rotatable on the guide means,`

and a camv follower carried by the inner extremity of the extensible sectionand-cooperable with the cam means; a secondary or movement-modifying; arm having one end pivoted to the-,cam follower on the extensible section of theprimary arm and its other end'arranged for attachment to amounting so that whenthe primary arm is oscillate'd' across a windshield by the drive'sha'ftthe extensible section .and Ya blade carried thereby will be caused to Yrotate aboutthe general longitudinal-axis of the armlas'well as reciprocate lengthwisewith respect to the arm. The

arr'an'gementis preferably such that the extensible section 3,019,137 Patented Nov. 28, 1961 ice Will be rotated only when the cam means and cam follower are operatively connected.

An important object of the invention is to provide the guide means of the primary arm with means for holding the extensible section against rotational movement until the cam follower engages the cam means. 'Ihe arrangement is preferably such that the extensible section and blade can be pivoted or rotated as a unit so that the blade will Wipe certain critical areas at or adjacent the wing portion of the windshield that could not be reached except for such motion.

A particular object of the invention is to provide improved means for facilitating adjustment between the guide means and intermediate arm section for varying the location or period that the cam means and follower will be engaged so that the blade will wipe different areas on the same windshield or area on windshields of different forms or curvatures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sec-v ondary arm with adjustable means preferably adapted mounted so as to facilitate initial installation and parking of the windshield wiper apparatus and for regulating the oscillating stroke of the primary arm to promote adjustment thereof to meet different operating requirements.

Additional objects of the invention are to provide wiper apparatus which is durable and positive in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent after the description hereinafter set forth is considered in connection with the drawings annexed hereto.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side view of the primary arm structure with portions in section and shows the mode of connecting the arm to a drive shaft;

FIGURE 2 is a bottom view showing the operative relationship of the primary arm and secondary or movement-modifying arm;

FIGURE 2A is a partial View showing a different form of cam means that may be employed;

FIGURE 3 is a partial enlarged sectional view illustrating the manner of operatively connecting the movement-modifying arm with a tting attached to the drive shaft mounting;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 4 4 of FIGURE 1 and shows the connection between the modifying arm and the cam follower;

f FIGURE 5 is a sectional view of a connectorcarried by the extensible arm section and shows that this ysection and connector as a unit are rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the primary arm; I

FIGURES 6 and .7 are views showing the mannerv of adjustably connecting the tting to the drive shaft mounting;

FIGURE 8 is a bottom view of theA fitting; FIGURE 9 is a front view of a windshield showing different positions of the wiper'apparatus and wiper blade i mary'arm above referred to includes, among other things,

an inner section 1, an intermediate elongatev section 2 pivotally connected to the innersection, and an outer extensible section 3 mounted for slidable and. rotatable movement with respect to the intermediate section.

The inner arm section of the primary arm is preferofV my application ably provided with means including a nut 4 for detachably securing the arm in any one of a Vnumber of predetermined fixed positions on a drive shaft 5, the l-atter of which is rotatably supported in a mounting 6 which extends through the cowl of a vehicle body.

The intermediate section 2 of the primary arm is preferably of channel shape. An assembly including a helical Spring 7Y is lhoused within the channel and one end of the spring is connected to the inner section and its other end to a member which in turn is attached to the intermediate section for urging the inter-mediate and extensible arm sections as a unit toward a windshield. The intermediate section is further provided with tubular guide means 8 which actually constitutes a continuation of the intermediate or channel section. This guide means may be secured in the intermediate section in any manner desired, but is preferably detachably secured in place by a removable rivet or fastener 9 which extends through holes provided therefor in the intermediate section and guide means. lThe guide means is preferably round in cross section and rotatably supports the extensible section 3 which is also round in cross section. The guide means is provided with means preferably in the form of a longitudinal slot having a spiral or helical continuation 11 constituting a cam means. It will be noted that the innervextremity of the `guide means as depicted in FIG- URES 1 and Z is provided with a plurality of holes in order that a rivet, such as 9, can be located in either of the holes so that the guide may be adjusted to different positions and thereby afford a control for regulating the location or period it is desired to effect rotation of the extensible arm section 3.

The inner extremity or the extensible arm section is provided with a hole 12 and a pin 13 constituting a cam follower which has its inner end anchored in the hole. The shank of the pin is adapted for movement in the slot and is provided with a spherical head 14 which is connected for universal movement with respect to the outer end of a movement-modifying arm generally designated 15. It should be noted that the extensible arm section, as` illustrated in FIGURES l and 2, is provided with additional holes like 9 for selectively receiving the pin in order to vary the sliding and rotational action of the extensible section. The movement-modifying arm is preferably comprised of a pair of corresponding elongate ilat members l16. The outer ends of the members are preferably provided with corresponding recesses which cooperate with one another to provide a socket which receives the head 14 of the pin 13. The inner ends of the members are similarly formed to receive a spherical head 17 of ashaft of a bolt assembly 18 attached to an elongate Vfitting 19. Rivets 20 are preferably employed to secure the members '16 of the movement-modifw'ng arm together in superimposed relationship so that the spherical heads of the pin and shaft are locked for universal movement with respect to the modifying arm.

mounting. The outer end of the :fitting is provided with a slot 27 through which the shaft of the bolt assembly extends so that the modifying arm can be adjustably secured to the fitting for the purpose of varying the travel o-f the extensible section 3 of the primary arm which carries the wiper blade. The inner enlarged end of the f1tting is provided with an aperture through which the threaded .portion of the drive shaft mounting extends and is further provided with serrations 28 which cooperate with corresponding serrations 29 preferably provided on the upper end or surface of the nut 26 to firmly secure the fitting in place after adjustment. With this arrangement, the travel of the extensible arm can be varied to suit different installation requirements. The adjustments between the modifying arm and fitting and between the yfitting andthe shaft mounting all contribute toward lcontrol of the extensible -arrn section. The Ifact that the Vcomplete apparatus is supportedon the drive shaft and mounting therefor also facilitates installation.

In view of the `foregoing, and referring to FIGURES 9 and l0 of the drawing, the wiper apparatus is shown in a parked position andin different operative positions on a windshield having a frontal portion 30 and a wing portion 31. lWhen the blade is movedY upwardly and toward the right the blade will take the path shown by the unshaded area. More specifically in this, regard, the extensible section and blade can move only longitudinally as it traverses the frontal portion 30 of the windshield. When vthe blade reaches or approaches the dotted-line position 32 at the beginning of the bent wing portion of the windshield, the movement-modifying arm 15 will pull the follower further inwardly and into the slot 11 and thereby elect pivotal or ,rotational movement of the extensible arm section as shown in FIGURE 5 and main-` tain the blade in a substantiallyerect surface-conforming position as exemplied in FIGURES 9 and l0 as it travels over the wing of the windshield. The blade will traverse the same path on its return movement. In addition'to wiping a windshield at the places described, the blade is prevented from banging against the windshield frame.

The importance of the invention is perhaps best exempliied in FIGURE 4l() where the arm if :mounted for movement through a true arc in the conventional way, would cause the blade to travel the path indicated by the dotted lines 33` and cause at least a portion of the blade to swing off the windshield into space'as indicated by the dotted-linepositiorji 34,

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that various modifications may be made in' the same without p departing from the spirit ofthe invention; and, therefore,

As clearly shown in FIGURE 2 of the drawing,A the pin 13 or cam follower when sliding in the longitudinal slot 10 serves to prevent rotation of the extensible arm section 3, but when the pin moves into the continuation lll-it Will cause rotationy of the extensible arm section.

As, exemplified in FIGURE 2A of the drawing, aguide means may be formed so as to provide -a pair of parallel longitudinal slots 21 and Z2 joined by a helical slot 23 constituting a cam means. A cam follower 24 is disposed for movement in the slots. With this arrangement the follower will cause the extensible arm section to rotate between the periods of its straight longitudinal movement in either of the slots 21 and 22. It is thus evident Vt-hat the rotational movementV of theV extensible section can be varied.

As depicted in FIGURES l through 4, the xfitting 19 is providedl with an inner enlargedkend which is preferably detachably connected to the drive shaft mounting 6 by and between a pair of nuts 25 and 26 threaded on the I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the exact'` forms, constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts 'herein shown and described.

I claim:

mounted 4.for movement with respect to the remainder of v relative to the intermediate section of the arm assembly, v A and cam means for effecting rotational movement ofthe v the arm assembly, means forsliding the outer section relative vto the remainder of the arm assembly, and means'` for effecting rotational movement of the outer section about the longitudinal axis of the arm assembly.

2. A windshield wiper arm assembly comprising an inner section, 4an intermediate section pivotally connected to the inner section and an outer arm section slidably and rotatably mounted for movement with respect to the intermediate section, means for sliding the outer section outer section about the axis of the arm assembly. z,

3. A windshield wiper-arm assembly comprising an inner section, an intermediate section pivotally connected to the inner section, and an outer arm section slidablyand Vrotatably mounted for movement with respect tothe axis of the intermediate section when the arm assembly isi in 1.' A` windshield wiper structure comprisingvan'arm' assembly Ahaving an outersection slidably and rotatably operation, and a connector provided on said outer section for supporting a blade.

`4. A windshield wiper structure comprising an arm assembly provided with guide means, an outer section of the arm assembly mounted on the guide means for longitudinal and rotary movementgrelative to the axis of the guide meansand provided with means for supporting a wiper blade, and means provided on the outer section cooperating with means on the guide means whereby to impart a rotary movement to the outer section about the axis of the guide means when the latter is moved longitudinally of the guide means.

V5. A windshield wiper arm assembly comprising an nner section, an intermediate section pivotally connected to the inner section and provided with guide means having a; slot consisting ofy a longitudinally extendingportion and a continuation thereof, an outer arm section slidably and rotatably mounted in the guide means', and means carried by the outer section disposed for movement in the slot, said last-mentioned means being adapted for connection with'an. actuator therefor to reciprocate the outer section while the means is in the longitudinal portion of the slot and for rotating the outerV section when the means is moved in the continuation of the slot.r`

6. A windshield wiper structure comprising an arm assembly provided with guide means having a slot divided into a longitudinally extending portion and an angularly disposed portion, an outer section of the arm assembly mounted -for longitudinal and rotatable movement in the guide means, means projecting from the outer section for movement in the slot, and an actuator connected to the said projection means, the'arrangement being such that when the projection means is in the longitudinal portion or" the slot the outer section can be reciprocated and when the projection meansis in the angular portion of the slot this section can be rotated. l

7. A wiper for wiping a curvedk windshield provided with a frontal portion and a wing portion, a drive shaft adapted to be located adjacent the junction between said portions of the windshield, a wiper arm connected to the shaft and provided with a guide, 'a member movable in the guide and supporting a wiper blade, a plurality of means on the guide and means on the member cooperable with said plurality of means, and an actuator connected to the means on the member, the arrangement being such that when the actuator is voperated the means on the member will engage one of the means on the guide to cause reciprocation of the member7 and blade when the blade moves on the frontal portion of the windshield and will engage another of the means on theguide to cause rotation of the member and blade when the blade moves on the wing portion of the windshield.

' 8. A windshield wiper structure comprising an arm assembly provided vwith-guide means having a slot with a longitudinallyrextending portion and a helically disposed portion, an outerY arm vsec-tion ofj the 'arm assembly mountedfor'longitudinal and rotatable `movement in the guide means, means projecting-from the outer section for movement in the slot, the arrangement being such that the outer section can be moved longitudinally when the projection means is in the longitudinal portion of the slot and can lbe rotated whenthe projection means is'in the helically disposed slot.

9. A windshield wiper arm assembly comprising an arm section having guide means provided with a pair of loned to be located adjacent the junction between saidporf V gitudinally extending slots and an intervening slot joining the longitudinal slots, an outer arm section mounted in the guide means for longitudinal and rotational movement, and means extending from the outer section disposed for movement in the slots, said extending means being adapted for connection with an actuator therefor for imparting longitudinal movement to the outer section when the extending means is in either of the longitudinal slots and for rotating the outer section when the means is in the intervening slot.

10. A windshield wiper arm assembly comprising an inner section, an intermediate section pivotally connected tothe inner sect-ion and provided with a support, guide means on the support, an outer section slidably and rotatably mounted on the support, and movable means disposed for engagement with the guide meanson the supf port, said movable means being adapted forpconnection with an actuator therefor to reciprocate the outer section when the movable means is in engagement with onev portion of the guide means on the support and `for rotating the outer section when the movable meansis moved into engagement with the other portion of the guide meansl on the support. i y l1. A Awiper for wiping a curved windshield 4provided with two related portions to be wiped, a drive shaft adapted to be located adjacent the junction betweenl said portions of the windshield, a wiper ,arm connected to the shaft and provided with a guide member, a member mov-y able in the guide member and supporting a wiper blade, a plurality of means on one of the members and means on the other member cooperable with said plurality of means, and an actuator connected to the means on the other member, the arrangement being suchgthat when the actuator-is operated the means on the member will engage one of the means on the guide to cause reciprocation of the memberA and blade when the blade moves on one portion of the windshield and will engage another 0f the means on the guide to cause rotation of the member and blade when theblade moves on the other portion of the windshield.

i 12, A Windshield wiper arm assembly comprising an inner section `for detachably securing a wiper arm on'a drive shaft,` an intermediate section pivotally connected to the Ainner section and an extensible section slidably :and rotatably mounted on said intermediate section, means includ-ing a movement-modifying arm for sliding said extensible section, and means for effecting rotational movement of said extensible section, whereby a wiper blade mounted on the extensible section moves longitudinally as well as longitudinally and rotationally of the wiper arm as said wiper blade moves ltoward or away vfrom the drive shaft during its oscillations across the windshieldfsuch that said-wiper bladeA is held at all times in a Ypredeter mined position relative to the surface of the windshield to be cleaned.

13. A .windshield wiper arm assembly comprising an inner section, an intermediate sectionrpivotally 4connected to the inner section, an elongate guide connectible with the intermediatesection in one of a plurality of positions,

an outer arm sectio'slidably androtatably mounted for movement with respect to the guide, said guid being provided with a cam, a projection connectible with'the outer section in one of a plurality of positionsY for engaging the cam, and means connected to the' projection for sliding the outer lsection relative to the arm assembly so that the projection will engage "the cam for effecting rotationaly movement ofthe outerl section about theaxis of the assembly.

14. A wiper for wiping a curved-windshield provided' witha frontal portion and a wing portionga bearing adapttions of the windshield and provided with afltting, a drive shaft journalled inthe bearing, al wiperfarm-,connected to the shaft and provided with a guide, a member movable in the guide and supporting a wiper blade, a plurality of means on the guide and means on the member cooperable with said plurality of means, and an actuator conr nected to the tting and to the means on the member, the

arrangement being such that when the shaft is operated the actuator will cause the means on the member to engage one of the means on the guide to cause reciprocation of the member and blade when the blade moves on the frontal portion of the windshield and will engage another Y of the means on the guide to cause rotation and reciprocation of the member and blade when the blade moves on' the wing portion of the windshield.

15. A windshield cleaner wiper arm mounted for use I 

